REUTERS
Only licensed economic entities will be able to produce and sell spirits.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill into law to liberalize alcohol production and abolish a government monopoly in the alcohol industry.
The signed bill on amendments to the law of Ukraine on state regulations of production and turnover of ethyl alcohol, cognac and fruit spirits, alcoholic drinks, tobacco and fuel was returned to the parliament on December 11, says an announcement posted on the parliament's website.
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the bill was passed by lawmakers on December 3.
The law will abolish a government monopoly on the production of spirits from January 1, 2020, to bring the alcohol market out of the shadows, according to the explanatory note to the document.
In particular, licensed businesses of any form of ownership will be able to produce and sell alcohol, including for exports. The installation of CCTV cameras for round-the-clock video surveillance at production facilities is a condition for obtaining a license.
At the same time, the law imposes restrictions on alcohol imports until January 1, 2024. Only state enterprises authorized by the Cabinet of Ministers will be able to import the product. Such imports, which shall not exceed 10% of alcohol production at an enterprise, will be carried out under a license.
In addition, it will be possible to produce alcoholic beverages for sale in Ukraine until January 1, 2024, from alcohol of Ukrainian origin in line with the Customs Code of Ukraine.
The law also introduces an obligation to maintain jobs (70% of employees) until July 1, 2021, at enterprises that are planned to be offered for privatization.
The legislation will become effective from July 1, 2020.